Urban development: New city to be set up in Salt Range, says Shahbaz

CM says an economic zone will also be established in the area.

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced on Monday a new city and an economic zone would be set up in the Salt Range near motorway.

“The project will promote economic and trade activity in the area,” he told a meeting. He ordered that arrangements be made to pursue the project.

He said international consultants would be hired to complete the project. He said the economic zone would create thousands of job opportunities.

Earlier, the Planning and Development Board chairman briefed the meeting about the project. Industries Minister Muhammad Shafiq, Housing Minister Tanvir Aslam Malik and MPA Ayesha Ghaus Pasha attended the meeting.

Pakistan-China ties

First Consul General of China in Lahore Yu Boren called on the chief minister and discussed bilateral relations.

“Pakistan-China friendship has stood the test of time. The Pak-China Economic Corridor will promote trade and economic relationship between the two countries,” Sharif said. He said 2015 was being celebrated as the year of Pak-China economic cooperation.

He said energy and infrastructure projects worth billion of dollars would be completed with help from China.

China has made rapid progress to become a major economic force. He said the progress was a role model for other countries.

Yu said that China considered Pakistan a brotherly neighbour.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2015.